A graphic reconstruction methodology for the conservation of cultural heritage

Virtual modelling enables the testing of conceptual, constructional and environmental aspects, prior to embarking on the in situ construction process. This is being gradually implemented in architectural heritage, particularly with monuments that are at risk. Various international heritage conventions have emphasised the great role that virtual reconstruction plays in building a comprehensive repository of the selected case studies. This repository would be used for educational and professional purposes as well as raising community awareness of heritage values and conservation. On the other hand, only few genuine attempts have been made to develop a virtual reconstruction approach in a conservation project to integrate concept, materiality or spatial quality of the conservation proposal into the perception of the heritage cultural values.

This paper presents a conservation framework with a virtual reconstruction approach that allows the conservation strategy and proposed architectural interventions to be tested via remodelling them together with the original fabric in the virtual environment. The study is intended to apply the conservation framework on the Public Plaza, Residential Quarter of Ugarit and its associated structures in order to examine how this proposal affects the spatial and architectural settings of the fabric and enhances the perception of its cultural significance. A 3D model of the original fabric and proposed conservation strategy is built using CAD modelling techniques and, consequently, high-quality realistic photos and virtual tours are produced. These outputs will be analysed in order to highlight the contribution of the conservation framework to the original fabric and its cultural values.